EFFECT OF LAND USE TYPES AND MANAGEMENT ON SOIL QUALITY IN MAKURDI, SOUTHERN GUINEA SAVANNAH, NIGERIA

This research was carried out at different locations within Makurdi in 2012. The objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in the soil quality indicators in response to land use changes and generate data on soil quality indicators. Surface soil samples (0 – 15 cm) were collected at three different auger points in each of the six land use types namely; Cowpea, Cassava, Maize, oil palm, yam and secondary forest. The samples were analyzed to assess the extent of change in soil quality. The results obtained indicated that soil organic matter (SOM), organic carbon ` (OC), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), porosity, gravimetric water content, water stable aggregates, bulk density and mean weight diameter were significantly affected by the land use types. Soil organic matter and organic carbon content were generally very low, but were significantly different (P<0.05) from each other. Potassium was generally low in all land use types evaluated. Calcium was better in secondary forest compared to other land use types. The mean weight diameter, water stable aggregates, porosity and bulk density were better in secondary forest compared to other land use types. It is established that land use negatively affected most of the nutrient content of the soils. It is hereby recommended that appropriate soil management practices such as; proper land use, organic matter incorporation and use of organic manure should be adopted for sustainable soil productivity in the study area.